As Pastor Jamie comes to the conclusion of this chapter of history, it is with deep personal gratitude and heartfelt warmth that I pause to wish him well. While I'll miss the opportunity to stop by and chat with him on a daily basis, because as he always says "My office door is never open by accident", I know he is only a phone call away. On to the next, my brother...as Jamie also says, "If you're not dead, you're not done!"
Give 'em heaven, brother!!!
| This is one of the occasions where I prefer the way the NIV translates this verse, and this is how I memorized it a number of years ago: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Paul detailed a personal struggle he had as it related to living or dying. he was both getting older and coming under persecution and being jailed. He was in jail as he wrote this letter to the Church in Philippi. Regardless of age and health status, he knew these followers of Jesus would "soon" be facing their own deaths, too. A hundred years is a tiny speck over the span of eternity. How could they best make sense of the deep questions of life and death and life beyond death in this new reality- the victory of Jesus Christ? He felt the pull toward eternal life with Christ and looked forward to that day when he could fully know the joys of heaven, which could only be glimpsed and tasted in this life. On the other hand, he also felt the joy of serving God here and now as he shared the Good News with people who needed to be in a saving relationship with Jesus. Paul gave the Philippians a wonderful word from the Lord they could also rest in: Here and now- living for Christ- is very good indeed, and there and then- as we die in Christ or when Jesus returns in final victory- will be even better! |
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| While we know "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful...", this one tops my list of my Top 20 favorites, because these words are such a great reminder of our ultimate purpose here and now in this life and there and then when we die. We get to live as long and as well as we possibly can as we first Behold Jesus and then Become more like Jesus on the way to Being His hands, feet, and voice in this world. This is so good, AND we have so much to look forward to one day. Paul's words are quite odd in a way, because life is so fragile and we have such limited control over the timing of our death. We know all too well, for example, that life is filled with accidents, tragedies, health concerns, and the role our genetics plays in how long we live, but Paul was letting us in on his own unique thought process on his own life and impending death. He declares- and invites us to declare- that life is a good gift from God. We trust this and lean into it as we learn more about who God is and the ways He loves us. If "to live is Christ," then that is in fact an excellent thing for us with whatever number of years God allots to us. When we die, we trust God has even more in store for us! The Westminster Confessions says it well, "The chief of end of human beings is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." |
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| God, You are good, faithful, and true. Thank You for the good gift of life here and now. Thank You for the promises in Your Word that dying in Christ will be an even better than whatever we experience with You here and now. greater gain. Help us come to understand what Paul wants us to see here. Lead us to live well today as we look forward to enjoy You forever. Jesus has conquered death through the power of His resurrection, and we are alive with Christ- here and now on this earth and there and then when we die. Thank You, Lord! Amen. |
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John Wesley's last words spoken on his deathbed: "Best of all, God is with us." Pastor Jamie |
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